‘One Hour of Exercise Isn’t Enough’: Heart Surgeon Warns Against Sitting for 10 Hours a Day

Sitting for most of the workday may be more harmful than many people realise, even if you exercise regularly.

Cardiovascular surgeon Dr Jeremy London has warned that a single workout cannot fully counter the health effects of spending prolonged periods sitting. In a post shared on August 25, Dr London discussed the health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, highlighting its links to metabolic problems and chronic diseases.

Why is sitting for long hours a health concern?

Dr London referred to research published in the Circulation journal in September 2016, which found that Americans spend a significant share of their waking hours sitting. Data and studies, including research available through PubMed and findings from the ICMR-INDIAB study, have also pointed to high levels of physical inactivity in India.

According to Dr London, spending excessive time sitting is associated with a higher risk of premature death, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Long periods of inactivity can also interfere with the body’s ability to process sugars and fats effectively.

“Movement is medicine,” he said, stressing that the human body is designed to remain active rather than sedentary for much of the day.

Can a one-hour workout make up for sitting all day?

Many people who exercise in the morning or evening may assume that their workout cancels out the effects of sitting at work. Dr London cautioned against this assumption.

“An early morning workout is great, and it’s better than nothing, but a 1-hour workout in the morning does not offset 10 hours of being sedentary,” he said.

Instead, he recommends making movement a regular part of the day. Simple ways to stay active include taking the stairs, walking during lunch, standing while speaking on the phone, doing a few air squats between meetings and taking short walks outdoors.

The goal is not to replace regular exercise but to avoid remaining seated for long, uninterrupted periods. As Dr London put it, consistent movement throughout the day is what matters.

About Dr Jeremy London

Dr Jeremy London is a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with more than 25 years of experience. He holds an MD from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and focuses on cardiovascular health, preventive medicine, lifestyle and evidence-based approaches to longevity.